Louis Riel, the Métis leader and founder of Manitoba, is best known for advocating for his people's rights and shaping Canadian history. But beyond politics and resistance, music played a significant role in Riel’s life and legacy. From his own poetic compositions to operas and songs inspired by his story, music remains a powerful way to honour his contributions.
Riel’s Love of Poetry and Song
Riel was not only a political figure but also a poet and a deeply spiritual man. While exiled in Montana in the 1870s, he wrote numerous religious and patriotic poems reflecting his Métis identity and longing for justice. Some of these works have been adapted into songs, preserving his voice in lyrical form.
One of Riel’s well-known poems expresses his devotion and resilience:
"Deeds are greater than words.
Not by our speech but by our deeds
We shall be known. If we fall,
Let our graves be the footstones
Of the future generations."
The Métis people, known for their rich musical traditions blending Indigenous, French, and Scottish influences, have long used music as a means of storytelling and cultural expression. Fiddle music and traditional Métis dance tunes were central to Riel’s world, reinforcing community ties and resistance through art.
Songs of Resistance: Métis Rebellion Music
During the Red River and North-West Rebellions, Métis resistance fighters and their supporters composed songs to rally morale and document their struggles. Often set to traditional melodies, these songs carried messages of defiance, unity and sorrow, recounting battles, honouring fallen warriors and expressing frustration with colonial authorities.
Some of these songs have been preserved and passed down through generations, forming an essential part of Métis oral history. Modern Métis musicians continue to incorporate themes of resistance and resilience into their work.
Notable rebellion songs include La Claire Fontaine, sung as an anthem of defiance, and Chanson de Louis Riel, which recounts his leadership and sacrifice. Other traditional pieces, such as La Métisse and Red River Jig, though primarily dance tunes, hold historical significance, having been performed in both celebration and defiance.
Louis Riel: The Opera
One of the most famous musical works inspired by Riel is the opera Louis Riel, composed by Harry Somers with a libretto by Mavor Moore. Commissioned for Canada’s centennial in 1967, the opera dramatizes Riel’s struggles and ultimate execution in 1885.
Louis Riel has been the subject of controversy due to its portrayal of Métis leader Louis Riel and its use of Indigenous music and languages. Originally commissioned for Canada’s centennial in 1967, the opera has been criticized for its colonial perspective, the lack of Indigenous involvement in its creation, and the use of a Nisga’a lament without permission. While some praise Louis Riel for bringing an important historical figure to the stage, others argue it perpetuates problematic representations of Indigenous peoples. A 2017 Canadian Opera Company revival attempted to address these concerns by involving Indigenous artists and advisors, but debates about cultural appropriation and historical accuracy persist.
Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North redefines opera with Indigenous perspective
In 2023, Manitoba Opera presented Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North, with music by Neil Weisensel and Alex Kusturok, and a libretto by Dr. Suzanne Steele. The opera offers a fresh and dynamic perspective on the life of Louis Riel, highlighting his complex relationship with his Métis heritage. Driven by an Indigenous-led creative team, the production resonates with contemporary issues while remaining deeply rooted in the past. By amplifying Indigenous talent and leadership both on stage and behind the scenes, Manitoba Opera underscores the importance of diverse voices in shaping Canada’s history. This marks a pivotal moment in the company's history, celebrating Indigenous creativity and leadership in the arts.
In this mystical opera, 21st-century Joséphine-Marie is transported to 1870s Montana, where she meets her ancestor, the sharpshooter Josette. Josette, traveling with Louis Riel and the last buffalo brigades, falls in love with a young, passionate Riel who is on the run from assassins. As they navigate jealousy, destiny, and torment, they are aided by ghostly choruses of ancestors, bison brigades, and women from their peoples, all while fighting to save a nation and themselves from destruction.
The opera places the Michif peoples at the heart of the story, redefining operatic form through an Indigenous worldview. Themes of identity, environmental degradation, refugeehood, and the consequences of love and idealism resonate both with 19th-century Métis struggles and contemporary issues. Li Keur offers a fresh interpretation of opera, drawing from its roots as an art form for the people, while tackling issues of survival, diaspora, and innovation.
Métis Music and Modern Tributes
Today, Métis musicians continue to honour Riel through song. Artists such as Sierra Noble and the Asham Stompers celebrate Métis culture through fiddle music and jigging, while contemporary Indigenous musicians reference Riel’s legacy in folk, rock and hip-hop compositions. Songs like Louis Riel by The Dead South and Riel’s Song by John Arcand keep his memory alive in modern music.
Beyond individual artists, Métis music festivals and cultural events across Canada often feature tributes to Riel. These gatherings serve as celebrations of heritage and reminders of the ongoing struggles for Indigenous rights and recognition.
A Lasting Influence
Music ensures Riel’s story continues to be told—not just in history books but in the rhythms and melodies of those who carry on his fight for justice. Whether through operatic retellings, folk ballads or traditional fiddle tunes, Louis Riel’s spirit endures in song, a testament to the power of music as a force for remembrance and resistance.